Rachel Hewitt conned cash out of her colleagues after telling them 15-year-old Natasha was having chemotherapy.

The mum-of-two lied so she could take her daughters to expensive show-jumping events.

Hewitt, 39, was also given lengthy spells off work after making out that her daughter was in intensive care. The con cost taxpayers between £10,950 and £15,000 for 147 days off sick and £1,540 for 10 days of compassionate leave.

The former traffic officer, of South Elmsall, West Yorks, admitted fraud and misconduct at Hull Crown Court yesterday.

Judge Simon Jack said: “It was prolonged and cynical lying. The type of lies were so emotive about a child having cancer no-one would think they were false.”